After a crime: your rights

You have the right to contact the police and be kept informed about the investigation if you’ve been the victim of a crime.

You must be given a crime reference number and contact details for the police officer dealing with your case when you report the crime.

You have the right to ask the police for updates about the investigation. You’ll need your crime reference number when you contact the police.

During the police investigation

While the police are investigating the crime, they’ll give you an update on the case at least once a month until it’s closed.

The police will let you know within 5 days if someone is:

arrested

charged

set free

released on bail

given a caution, reprimand, final warning, or penalty notice

The police will tell you if they can’t investigate the crime within 5 days of you reporting it. They will also tell you why they’ve dropped their investigation.

You may be able to get information quicker and have other rights if you’re the victim of a serious crime, have been persistently targeted or are considered vulnerable or intimidated.

Crown Prosecution Service (CPS)

When the police have finished their investigation, they can pass the information to CPS who then decide if there’s enough evidence to take the case to court.

If the CPS decide to drop or alter the charge, they will usually tell you within 5 days. You will be told how to request a review of the decision (if the charge is dropped or no evidence is presented) - you’ll usually have 7 days to make the request.

Victim personal statement

You can tell the police how the crime has affected you. This is called a ‘victim personal statement’. It can be used later when the court is deciding on a punishment.